Pine Ridge Mission Trip

July 1-9 | $400/person

Reserve Your Spot Today

Why Take A Mission Trip?

Mission trips are incubators for life change. We get out of our routine and our normal surrounding which makes us more open to new experiences. Our philosophy of missions is that a change of place plus a change of pace equals a change of perspective.

By going out into a new community, interacting with another culture, and experiencing poverty and need not present in Maple Grove, Northwooders develop a new eye for social justice back home. In other words, we take them there to learn how live back here.

Similarly, mission trips create shared memories and stronger bonds among church members. The combined experience weaves the fabric of our congregation more tightly. Trips like this create lasting bonds, lifelong memories, and spiritual growth, all while providing material service to people in need.

Churches that serve together are stronger.

Proposed Schedule

MAY 21
Team Meeting #1 – 1pm

June 11
Team Meeting #2 – 1pm

JULY 1Drive to the Pine Ridge Reservation. (About 9 hours of travel)

JULY 2Worship in the morning at a local church and then begin at the worksite.

JULY 3 – 7Work on the house during the day. Experience the culture and debrief our experiences during the evenings.

July 8Visit Mount Rushmore and other local attractions.
Team processing of the experience

July 9Return Home

Why Go To Pine Ridge?

There are many reasons, but the three most compelling are the proximity, the felt need, and the cross-cultural experience.

FELT NEED

If you consider Pine Ridge it’s own nation (which it technically is), it is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere (behind only Haiti).

97% of the people live below the poverty level. The unemployment rate fluctuates between 85-95%.The average income is $2,600 – $3,500 a year! The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent – 300% above the national average.

Northwooders will encounter extreme poverty, just a day’s drive from home.

CROSS-CULTURAL

Cross-cultural experiences broaden our view of the world. We can have the experience of visiting another nation/culture by just traveling one state over.

Traveling to Pine Ridge provides a chance to experience Native Americanculture and grow in our understanding of a vulnerable and poverty-stricken people group in the United States.

PROXIMITY

Pine Ridge requires only one day of travel. It is “close enough” to make travel simple (and inexpensive), while being “far enough” to feel like we’ve left our normal experiences.

Close proximity makes future annual trips more feasible and likely as well.

What Are We Doing There?

One of the greatest needs in the area is housing, with multiple generations often living under one roof. By building a tiny home we can add living space for families in need.

Construction experience is helpful, but not required. We will learn as we go, and a foreman will be on hand to make sure we do it right.

Who Can Go?

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPANTS

This trip is for people over 18 years old, and family units. Any adult who wishes to participate is invited whether single or married.

Youth who wish to participate must be a 14+ years old and be a part of a family unit.

The hope is that students who wish to participate will invite their parents. If parents are unable to go, students must find another family to “adopt” them for the week.

Focusing this trips on adults ensures the maturity/experience necessary for home construction, and meets the goal of invigorating an outreaching heart in our congregation.

Cost

The cost of this trip is $400.

This covers all food, lodging, and materials upon arrival. Travel costs (gas and food on the road) are not included and will be covered by participants/families.

A $100 deposit is required. It is non-refundable, but is transferable.

Participants have the option to raise support. These tax-deductible gifts can be donated directly to Northwood Church. Fundraising instructions will be given at a team meeting.